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AMA endorses Fong replacement

AMA endorses Fong replacement

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has endorsed Peter Flett as Western Australia’s acting Director-General of Health.

Dr Flett replaces Neale Fong, who resigned yesterday after a corruption inquiry found he engaged in serious misconduct by disclosing restricted information to the former premier and lobbyist Brian Burke.

Dr Flett has been the chief executive of the South Metropolitan Area Health Service for the past 15 months.

Western Australia AMA president Geoff Dobb says Dr Flett will bring many years of experience to the role while a permanent replacement for Dr Fong is sought.

“What is needed in Western Australia at the moment is a degree of stability in the health leadership,” he said.

“I think he has the qualities that are required to take the health system forward.”

Meanwhile, the State Government is expected to avoid any serious electoral fall-out from the resignation of Mr Fong.

Yesterday the Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) released a report documenting 33 emails and numerous phone calls between Dr Fong and former premier and lobbyist Mr Burke, despite Dr Fong telling Health Minister Jim McGinty he had no recollection of any email contact.

The corruption watchdog also found the health boss engaged in serious misconduct by disclosing restricted information to Mr Burke.

Dr Fong resigned immediately and Professor Harry Phillips says that means the Labor Party should escape relatively unscathed at the state election.

“The danger is, if there’s more revelations then the spectre of WA Inc can become an electoral issue,” he said.

The Health Department says projects like the Fiona Stanley hospital will not be affected by Dr Fong’s resignation.